Is it possible to have TOO much Good Bacteria?

[Anthony8858]

Just curious.


You know that "bacteria in a bottle" the local fish store sells?.....The bottle recommends using it as "tank maintenance".

Could my tank Overdose on that good bacteria?

Am I promoting bacterial blooms?

Thanks

 

[JSchmidt]

If the bottle is labelled anything other than BioSpira (the only bacteria-in-a-bottle that seems to actually work), you're adding god-knows-what to your tank. A healthy tank can grow as many beneficial bacteria as are needed. Anyone trying to sell you 'bacteria in a bottle' to maintain your tank is mostly trying to separate you from your money.

Jim

 

[myst79]

Once your tank is cycled to it's normal load, you shouldn't really need to add any bacteria at all.

There will be as many there as can be supported by the conditions, which is plenty. And they are free too.

 

[TKOS]

I guess in theory you could have too much good bacteria. If that bacteria doesn't have a food source then it will die off. If you have way too much in your tank then this could possibly lead to a spike in ammonia. Of course small extra buts that might get added from the standard bacteria in a bottle sources will probably do nothing to your tank. Once established you should never have to buy those products.

 

[RHJ]

The amount of bacteria in your tank is directly proportional to the amount of ammonia being produced, or your bio-load:the amount, size and type of fish you are keeping. As everyone else said, once your tank is cycled the bacteria should be in equilibrium and you should not have to add anything to supplement or maintain them. If you add fish more bacteria will be produced. If you remove fish some of the bacteria will die until this equilibrium is reached again. This way, as the others said, your tank has as much bacteria as it needs, no more, no less. Isn't nature great?!